Parents concerned over class size – vote YES for the library project

As parents we are struggling with rising class sizes and shrinking budgets to support our schools.? We volunteer, raise funds, provide extra homework help, and try to make the best of a challenging situation, all while hoping for something to change.? November 5th presents an opportunity to get closer to that change.

There isn's a do nothing option.? This vote is less about the library and more about deciding how to pay for an estimated $12.8M in building and system repairs that are needed no matter what.? By saying YES to this project, we avert the uncertainty of a situation where repair money may come from yet another debt exclusion vote or from our already stretched operating budget.? Either way, the trickle-down effect of these scenarios means trouble for our school funding.? Not supporting this project is a risk that we as parents should be unwilling to take.

A YES vote for the library means that we say YES to $7.9M in state grant money and up to $1.75M in private fundraising dollars- that can only be used for this project.? The town's share of the project is $13.6M.? A YES vote is a sound financial decision that makes the best use of our tax dollars, while addressing the many issues faced by this building in the heart of our historic district with funding from outside of the operating budget.

I am urging all parents to learn about this project and vote.? November 5th is parent conference day- take your kids with you to the polls!? It takes no more than five minutes to vote and you will be setting an example for your children of what it means to make a choice about the kind of community you want for your family.

Vote YES to ensure that our town deals with the issue of repairing the library now- before we lose nearly $10M in outside funding- so that we can move forward with the important task of restoring essential funds to our schools.